What Chatham County Public Library does

Live Oak Public Library is a tax-funded public library system operating 14 branch locations across Chatham and Liberty Counties in Georgia, with headquarters in Savannah. The system provides free universal access to physical and digital library resources, community programming, and specialized services to the general public, students, researchers, and community organizations in its service area. Core technology infrastructure centers on membership in the statewide PINES (Public Information Network for Electronic Services) shared catalog, which gives patrons access to more than 11 million items across Georgia's library network. The digital collection layer includes Libby/OverDrive for eBooks and audiobooks, Hoopla for digital media, Kanopy for streaming film, and Beanstack for reading-tracking and challenge programming. Specialized collections and services include Blood Pressure Monitor Kits (launched 2025 in partnership with the American Heart Association), Seed Library, Chromebook and hotspot lending, notary services, proctoring, and meeting room rentals. The Carnegie Library Heritage Center, scheduled to open in 2026, will house and exhibit the system's historic Carnegie Library collection.

The business model is non-commercial public service: revenue is derived primarily from appropriations by Chatham and Liberty County governments from local tax bases. Ancillary revenue streams include nominal fees for passport services, notary, proctoring, meeting room rentals, and minor fines, but these are immaterial to total funding. Customer segments are non-billable — access is free and universal for residents of the service area — so the operating model is closer to a public utility than a transactional business. The system has no commercial revenue concentration, no paywalled product tiers, and no direct billing relationship with individual patrons.

Operationally, the system employs between 51 and 100 staff, runs co-located branches inside the West Broad YMCA and the W.W. Law Regional Center, and earned Book Sanctuary Library designation in 2024 as a formal commitment to First Amendment protections. Leadership is anchored by Executive Director Lola DeWitt. Recent strategic activity has emphasized programmatic expansion into health, food security, and digital equity rather than geographic expansion, since the 14-branch footprint already covers the authorized two-county service area.

Name

Chatham County Public Library

Legal name

Live Oak Public Library

Website

https://liveoakpl.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1903

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Live Oak Public Library operates 14 branch locations serving Chatham and Liberty Counties in Georgia, providing free public access to physical and digital resources via the statewide PINES catalog of 11 million items, alongside community programming and specialized services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (5192), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (519)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC), Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF), Interlibrary Loan (ILL) & Resource Sharing Operations (EDAEAGAK)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Digital lending
• Community programs
• Genealogy research
• Interlibrary loan

Headquarters

HQ city

Savannah

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Library Funding: Public library system funded primarily through local government tax revenues and millage rates. Services are free to all residents and visitors.
2. Fines and Fees: Modest overdue fines for late returns, notary service fees, exam proctoring fees, and meeting room rental fees for organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Live Oak Public Library is a public library system that provides free access to physical and digital materials, public computers and Wi-Fi, community programs, and meeting spaces across 14 branches serving Chatham and Liberty Counties, Georgia. Patrons can borrow books, DVDs, audiobooks, eBooks, Chromebooks, Wi-Fi hotspots, ukuleles, blood pressure kits, and seed packets, access genealogy and local history resources, and participate in summer reading and educational programs. The system is integrated into the statewide PINES network, giving cardholders access to more than 11 million items.

Product overview

Live Oak Public Library operates as a public library system serving Chatham and Liberty Counties in Georgia, offering both physical and digital resources. The core offering is access to the PINES library network (11+ million items statewide), supported by equipment lending (Chromebooks, hotspots, ukuleles), specialized collections (Seed Library, genealogy), and community programs (Summer Reading via Beanstack, Community Gardens). Digital resources include Libby/OverDrive for ebooks/audiobooks, Hoopla and Kanopy for streaming media, and free NYT All Access. The library also provides health resources (blood pressure kits), museum passes, notary services, and operates the Carnegie Library Heritage Center as a special collections research facility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PINES Library Network Georgia's statewide public library catalog system providing access to over 11 million items across partner libraries, enabling interlibrary loan and shared collection access for Live Oak Public Library cardholders.
• eBooks & Audiobooks (Libby) Digital lending platform providing free access to ebooks and audiobooks for library cardholders.
• Hoopla Streaming platform for movies, TV shows, music, and audiobooks available free with library card.
• Kanopy Streaming service for films and documentaries available free with library card.
• Beanstack Reading tracking platform for Summer Reading challenges and ongoing reading programs where patrons log reading and earn prizes.
• Seed Library Program offering seed packets, gardening information, and inspiration for healthy eating, supporting community gardening efforts.
• Chromebooks & Hotspots Technology lending program allowing patrons to check out Chromebooks and Wi-Fi hotspots for home use.
• Storytime Book Bundles Themed bundles of children's books curated by library staff based on fun topics, available for pickup.
• Passes & Partnership Programs Free and discounted passes to museums and state parks throughout Georgia, available with library card.
• Carnegie Library Heritage Center Non-circulating special collections and on-site research center honoring the library's legacy during segregation, featuring oral histories, exhibits, and interactive displays.
• Summer Reading Program Annual summer reading challenge with prizes, programs, and special performers, tracked through the Beanstack platform.
• New York Times All Access Free online access to The New York Times digital content including News, Games, Cooking, Wirecutter, and The Athletic for library cardholders.
• Blood Pressure Monitor Kits Health monitoring kits available for checkout at select branches, provided in partnership with the American Heart Association.
• Ukulele Checkout Program Musical instrument lending program allowing patrons to check out ukuleles to start their musical journey.
• Community Gardens Shared garden spaces at multiple library locations where neighbors grow fresh food and connect, supported by certified Master Gardener programming.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PINES Library NetworkcoreTechnology or IntegrationStatewide Georgia library consortium providing integrated catalog access to over 11 million items across participating library systems throughout the state.
• America's Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia (Happy Helpings)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide free, healthy lunches to children up to age 18 during summer months at 7 library locations across Chatham and Liberty Counties.
• Georgia Southern University Liberty CampuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHinesville Library branch partners with Georgia Southern University Liberty Campus to provide services for students, faculty, and staff.
• LaFayette May (Genealogy Room Sponsor)minorOthersGenealogy Room at Hinesville Library sponsored by LaFayne May in Honor of Wyman May.
• West Broad YMCAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWest Broad Library is co-located at West Broad YMCA, providing integrated community services.
• W.W. Law Regional CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerW.W. Law Library is co-located at W.W. Law Regional Center.
• Book Sanctuary OrganizationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization that designated Live Oak Public Library as Georgia's first Book Sanctuary Library.
• Public Library AssociationcoreOthersThe Executive Director serves as Director-at-Large on the PLA board.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Charleston County Public Library: Coastal Southeast U.S. county library system comparable in branch density, heritage programming, and tourism-adjacent community role.
• Richland Library (Columbia, SC): Mid-sized Southeastern U.S. public library system with multi-branch operations and strong community-programming emphasis; similar demographic scale.
• Hillsborough County Public Library (Tampa, FL): Large Florida county library system with extensive branches, digital resources, and innovative lending (similar to Live Oak's hotspot/Chromebook lending); comparable in service breadth.

Direct peers

• Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System: Large Georgia PINES-member public library system serving a single urban county; directly comparable in operating model and governance structure.
• Cobb County Public Library: PINES-member suburban county library system with comparable multi-branch footprint and digital-resource offerings.
• Coastal Georgia Regional Library: Another PINES-member regional library system serving multiple Georgia counties; direct peer in mission, funding model, network integration, and scale.
• Three Rivers Regional Library System: Multi-county PINES-member regional system in Georgia serving rural/small-city communities; close analogue in scale and multi-county governance.
• DeKalb County Public Library: PINES-member county library system with multiple branches and similar diversity/heritage programming emphasis.
• Gwinnett County Public Library: Major suburban Georgia PINES-member library system; comparable in branch density, programs, and tax-funded revenue model.

Others

• Public Library Association: National professional association for public libraries; not a competitor but a peer/ecosystem participant since Live Oak's Executive Director sits on its board and shapes the practice peer libraries follow.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/liveoakpl
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@liveoakpl
• Facebookfacebook.com/liveoakpl
• Instagraminstagram.com/liveoakpl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chatham County Public Library